Advice please with 1st Caterham

[Redbrix]

Hi all

I am looking for some advice please...

One of the main draws for me with the Caterham range is the self build option mainly for the greater understanding of how everything fits together and also for the personal satisfaction of turning a big pile of bits into a phenomenal sports car.

Obviously there are other manufacturer options with self build but initial research suggests that the Caterham is the most straightforward albeit at a high price. But you get what you pay for I think.

However my 15k-20k budget doesnt get me the car that I want to build and own long term, which is something akin to roadsport 175/Supersport R spec. I have started to think along the lines of buying a decent spec car second hand and then dismantling and rebuilding it.

Is dismantling/reassembling anymore challenging than just a new self build? Obviously I would save some money on not buiyng new, leaving me funds for refurbishing/upgrading items and components as I go along.

It wouldnt quite have the same effect or advantages of building a car from new but I think the knowledge gained would be similar if not greater. Not sure I would save money overall, that would depend on what I end up doing and the general condition of whatever I buy. Is the upgrade path similar for any version of Caterham?
Also for £15-£20k what you recommend buying that I could work on and grade to as I go to maybe r400 spec at the end of the day?

Many thanks

[Gingerbread Man]

Just rebuilding my own 7. Rewarding thing to do, you learn a lot about it.

I did it to a bare chassis and then started again so everything had to be added, nothing came in the car as it were.

You could give it an overhaul, upgrading certain areas as you go.

[Redbrix]

Wow that sounds interesting. What did you start with and what will you end up with? Are you working to a strict budget and having to make compromises?

[Gingerbread Man]

http://www.pistonheads.com/Gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[BritishRacinGrin]

It sounds to me like you want the new build experience and rebuilding an older car is a compromise option.

I think you should do this one of two ways. Either scrimp, save and wait until you can get the new kit you desire, or buy an ex-race car cheaply and rebuild.

The problem you have with buying a recent road car for rebuilding is that it probably won't 'need' it. Sure, it'll be beneficial to the car and a worthwhle experience but you won't get the same satisfaction you'll get from either building the car new from the ground up or transforming a tired, damaged, comparatively low value car into a showroom example.

[framerateuk]

Just to throw another option out there, I was in a similar situation.

You could get a nice used example for 15-20k, and would probably depreciate very little over the next few years. You could always drive it for a few years, then eventually sell it and buy a kit, or rebuild it when it needs it.

[Redbrix]

[quote=BritishRacinGrin]It sounds to me like you want the new build experience and rebuilding an older car is a compromise option.

I think you should do this one of two ways. Either scrimp, save and wait until you can get the new kit you desire, or buy an ex-race car cheaply and rebuild.

The problem you have with buying a recent road car for rebuilding is that it probably won't 'need' it. Sure, it'll be beneficial to the car and a worthwhle experience but you won't get the same satisfaction you'll get from either building the car new from the ground up or transforming a tired, damaged, comparatively low value car into a showroom example.

[/quote

Yes you have hit the nail square on the head. I perhaps need to reduce initial budget to get a car in a state that actually requires a refresh. More research required I think]

[Redbrix]

framerateuk said:

Just to throw another option out there, I was in a similar situation.

You could get a nice used example for 15-20k, and would probably depreciate very little over the next few years. You could always drive it for a few years, then eventually sell it and buy a kit, or rebuild it when it needs it.

Thanks for the comments but my desire to build or rebuild is perhaps greater than the desire to own and drive, so need to scratch that itch first and foremost!

[Tango7]

Redbrix said:

framerateuk said:

Just to throw another option out there, I was in a similar situation.

You could get a nice used example for 15-20k, and would probably depreciate very little over the next few years. You could always drive it for a few years, then eventually sell it and buy a kit, or rebuild it when it needs it.

Thanks for the comments but my desire to build or rebuild is perhaps greater than the desire to own and drive, so need to scratch that itch first and foremost!

I'd recommend that everyone built a new seven if they have the chance and the funds. However, the point about buying a good example and using it for a while and then selling to build a new car is a very good suggestion. You get on the caterham specification ladder higher plus it gives a better appreciation of the many permutations / combinations of options for when you order your new kit. There are plenty of opportunities with used cars to fettle, improve and polish/clean so you can involved to a high degree which may include disassembly if you particularly want and then the residuals are so strong , that you can get your money back when the new car is due.

[Aeroscreens]

When I purchased mine second hand in 1999 it was because I didn't have the knowledge/skills/confidence to build a new one (ore so I thought). Roll on 8 years and after many miles I'd become rather too attached to my 7 to sell it and move on. It was then involved in a minor prang so I decided to have a go at rebuilding it from scratch in a single lock-up garage (albeit with power & light).

I have to say it was one of the most rewarding projects I've ever undertaken. I learnt more about the car/mechanics/myself that I ever could have imagined and will be forever grateful to those that gave up their time to help me.

Full story here

It has since undergone many more upgrades etc....

I wouldn't say that rebuilding would be the way to go when starting from scratch as has already been said, it' probably better to buy a cheap first 7 to enjoy nd give yourself time to save for a newer/better spec in due course.....

[g7jhp]

If you're at £20k I'd suggest you get your head down and save up the extra £4-7k you need for a Supersport R.

It may take a little longer but if that's what you really want it'll be worth it.

[Redbrix]

g7jhp said:

If you're at £20k I'd suggest you get your head down and save up the extra £4-7k you need for a Supersport R.

It may take a little longer but if that's what you really want it'll be worth it.

...and thats pretty much the outcome - popped along to Caterham South today and ended up placing an order for a self-build Supersport R - delivery next April!

Thanks for all the responses

[Andy Bell]

man maths + Caterham=win. I love how the budget increased by 7k in one visit Enjoy!

[tomwoodis]

If it makes you feel any better I did exactly the same. You only live once though right!

[sfaulds]

Can anyone explain the attraction of building a seven yourself to me? I've never understood it - no-one seems to have a burning desire to build a 'proper' car from scratch. I wonder if Caterham (or Lotus) had never offered the home-build option if people would still want to do it?

[mharris]

sfaulds said:

no-one seems to have a burning desire to build a 'proper' car from scratch

I think you are mistaken. Everyone who builds a Caterham has a burning desire to build a 'proper' car from scratch. Caterham just happens to be the most practical and easiest way of doing it. Plus you are left with one of the most rewarding, enjoyable and capable cars at the end of it. By the way, I do consider a Caterham a 'proper' car in the truest sense of the word. It is a proper drivers car.

Anyway, this is going off topic now.

Edited by mharris on Friday 12th September 12:16

[assadahmed]

Congratulations on your Order!!!

Now the wait for delivery. Did they give you an idea as to when it will be ready to head out to you? What options did you do for?

[Redbrix]

mharris said:

I think you are mistaken. Everyone who builds a Caterham has a burning desire to build a 'proper' car from scratch. Caterham just happens to be the most practical and easiest way of doing it. Plus you are left with one of the most rewarding, enjoyable and capable cars at the end of it. By the way, I do consider a Caterham a 'proper' car in the truest sense of the word. It is a proper drivers car.

Anyway, this is going off topic now.

Edited by mharris on Friday 12th September 12:16

Exactly right. I cant wait to start building it. Project 2 and some years off would be a Suffolk Cars C type replica or Hawk 289 FIA replica.

[oop north]

mharris said:

sfaulds said:

no-one seems to have a burning desire to build a 'proper' car from scratch

I think you are mistaken. Everyone who builds a Caterham has a burning desire to build a 'proper' car from scratch. Caterham just happens to be the most practical and easiest way of doing it. Plus you are left with one of the most rewarding, enjoyable and capable cars at the end of it. By the way, I do consider a Caterham a 'proper' car in the truest sense of the word. It is a proper drivers car.

Anyway, this is going off topic now.

Edited by mharris on Friday 12th September 12:16

Don't agree with "everyone" - some, maybe, not everyone. I built one in 1999/2000 to do the academy in 2000 but didn't enjoy for the most part. I learned from the experience, mostly that I should leave building cars to other people who have the right skills and aptitude!